Standardized Test Policy

Connecticut College practices “test optional” admission and therefore does not require first-year applicants to submit tests for review.

First-year applicants have four options to satisfy the testing component of their application. Applicants can indicate their preference while filling out Connecticut College’s "Member Page."

SAT Reasoning Test (current or redesigned SAT)

ACT (writing component not required)

Two SAT Subject Tests of your choice

No tests

Connecticut College “superscores” the SAT Reasoning Test and considers the “combined highest composite score” from the submitted ACT tests. If you submit multiple SAT Subject Tests, we will consider your two highest scores from two different tests across all dates submitted.

You should send scores from every SAT/ACT date for which you received your best scores in specific sections. We will update your record each time we receive new scores and will consider only your highest section scores when making a final admission decision.

If you are determining whether to submit any testing, our advice is to submit your scores if you feel they are representative of your achievement and you believe they will enhance your application. If you feel your standardized test scores do not reflect your full potential, we recommend you choose to select the "no tests" option on the Common Application. You will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process by choosing "no tests."

Connecticut College does not require anything in lieu of selecting the “No tests” option.

For Early Decision I applicants, results of the October ACT, November SAT Reasoning, or November SAT Subject Tests will be accepted. For Early Decision II applicants, results of the December ACT, December SAT Reasoning, or December SAT Subject Tests will be accepted. Typically, January test scores do not arrive in time for ED II consideration.

The newly redesigned SAT will be offered for the first time in spring 2016. Connecticut College will accept current or redesigned SAT scores for applicants who wish to submit standardized tests during the application process.

Transfer Testing Policy

Standardized tests are not considered during the transfer application process.

TOEFL Policy

Students whose first language is not English are required to submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or an equivalent. The SAT Reasoning Test, ACT, and SAT II may not be used to demonstrate English proficiency.

Connecticut College's ACT code is 0556 and its SAT code is 3284.

We are often asked why we do not require standardized testing. We do not require testing for several reasons.

- First, we take a holistic approach to the review of the student application. We do not think that three hours on a Saturday or Sunday morning determines whether a student is going to contribute to our community.

- Second, we want students to highlight their strengths in the application process. This is why we give students the option to submit any two SAT Subject Tests, the SAT Reasoning Test or the more comprehensive ACT, but we do not require them of students who feel that other areas of their application are a better reflection of their abilities.

- Third, we believe that some students are not well served by standardized testing and have found through our own studies that along with the high school transcript, items such as a student's essay, short answers, recommendations and other application materials are better predictors of how well a student will perform during their first year at the College than standardized tests.